Defending A-League champions Central Coast Mariners have signed experienced South Korean attacker Kim Seung-yong to the end of next season.

The 28-year-old is due to arrive later this week, having spent the last two seasons with 2012 AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai, scoring in their 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli in that final.

The acquisition is timely with Mariners striker Daniel McBreen set to rejoin Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai East Asia on a one-season deal.

Talented young defender Trent Sainsbury also left this week, joining Dutch club PEC Zwolle, with veteran Eddy Bosnar coming in to take his place in the squad.

It's also a welcome change from the trend of A-League stars being snapped up by Asian clubs, including the recent loss of gifted Mariners playmaker Michael McGlinchey to Japan's Vegalta Sendai.

Kim boasts considerable experience in South Korea's top flight, having also played for FC Seoul as well as enjoying a stint with Gamba Osaka in Japan's J-League in 2011.

Mariners coach Phil Moss believed the former South Korean youth international would have prove a big asset to the club.

"We've taken as much time as we've needed to land our man, and based on all our due diligence we believe Kim Seung-yong will have a major impact for our club on and off the field," Moss said.

"It made a lot of sense to me to investigate bringing a top quality Asian player to the Mariners, especially considering our involvement with the 2014 AFC Champions League.

"We see it as a massive opportunity to tap into the Korean community in Australia, and a chance to generate further awareness of our Club in Asia," he said.

Mariners CEO Mr Bruce Stalder was similarly bullish. "Kim Seung-yong ticks all the boxes for us as a club," Stalder said.

"He is player of immense quality and reputation in Asia, he has a desire to play in Australia, and he is extremely familiar with the AFC Champions League - a competition we will be entering for the fourth time in 2014."